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3,575 people sought anxiety therapy help at Norfolk in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a anxiety can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 50 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.
Sue McCray

Hear from Sue McCray, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Sue McCray's profile

What is your go-to approach for anxiety therapy?

My go-to approach for treating anxiety is exposure therapy. I find that the best benefit of facing anxiety is that my clients can gradually begin facing small fears and find confidence in overcoming anxiety.

What tools do you teach in anxiety therapy?

I teach the following tools in anxiety therapy: deep breathing, coping skills, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, visualization techniques, and grounding.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in anxiety therapy?

I know a patient is making progress in accomplishing anxiety-related goals when they are better able to face things that would have caused fear and discomfort before therapy by implementing self-report and assessment tools.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement anxiety therapy?

Clients can journal, do anxiety-related workbooks, and use apps focused on mindfulness.

What should someone do to prepare for starting anxiety therapy?

To prepare for your first anxiety therapy session, you can do a quick 5-minute meditation to help get you to a calmer headspace.

Starting Anxiety therapy

What is anxiety therapy?

Anxiety therapy helps people better understand and manage their anxiety. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Norfolk, VA can develop a treatment plan that will help you better manage your day-to-day anxiety or your anxiety disorder.

How does anxiety therapy work?

Anxiety therapy involves talking to a therapist about symptoms, potential causes, and more. Thriveworks Norfolk therapists will then work with you to determine where your anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.

How to deal with anxiety?

One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.

Symptoms of anxiety

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

  • Sense of impending danger
  • Nervousness/restlessness
  • Trouble focusing
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shaking
  • Headaches
  • Stomach issues
  • Fatigue
  • Panic attacks
  • Increased heart rate

What is the best therapy for anxiety?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be incredibly effective in treating anxiety and anxiety disorders. Other effective techniques include exposure therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and EMDR therapy.

Is anxiety therapy conducted in person or online?

Anxiety therapy is conducted both in person and online, depending on the individual’s preferences and their therapist’s availability. We suggest choosing the option that best suits your needs.

How long does anxiety therapy last?

On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.

Is therapy worth it for anxiety?

Yes, it is worth going to therapy for anxiety. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings that are affecting your day-to-day life or you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek expert anxiety help.

Need more help deciding?

Anxiety Therapy in Norfolk, VA — Therapists, Counselors, and Psychologists

Do you feel overly fatigued after a day of excessive worry? Do you avoid work functions for fear of meeting new people? Does anxiety prevent you from doing routine activities like driving, showing up for work, or leaving your house?

If you relate to these questions, you might be struggling with an anxiety disorder. You’re not alone, and help is available. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling are ready to help you manage and overcome your anxiety and stress.

Call us at (757) 280-4736 to get started today.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety comes in many forms and can cause a variety of symptoms. People struggling with anxiety generally worry more days than not and might experience:

  • Lack of concentration
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Racing thoughts
  • Hypervigilance
  • Trembling
  • Nausea
  • Excessive sweating
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Stress

These symptoms can make daily living difficult. If they’re interfering with your daily activities, you might have an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

If the symptoms above sound familiar, we can help. At Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling, your anxiety therapist will work with you to determine the type of anxiety you have and provide the tools, skills, and support needed to manage your symptoms and live the life you want. Anxiety can stem from various causes, whether genetic predisposition or stressful experiences. Common types of anxiety disorders include:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Characterized by chronic anxiety and tension without a specific cause.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Overwhelming anxiety in everyday social situations, such as eating, drinking, or casual conversation.
  • Panic Disorder: Sudden feelings of fear with physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness, often mistaken for a heart attack.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Anxiety following a traumatic event, triggered by reminders of the trauma.

Your Thriveworks Norfolk counselor will help you identify your anxiety type and create a personalized treatment plan.

Get Started with an Anxiety Therapist at Thriveworks Norfolk, VA

At Thriveworks Norfolk, we are dedicated to providing client-focused care. Ready to take the next step? Call us at (757) 317-4315 to schedule an appointment.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Norfolk therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Norfolk
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

Thriveworks Norfolk has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Virginia.

4.5 Thriveworks Norfolk reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Norfolk is located on Hampton Blvd, near the intersection with Redgate Avenue and the Midtown Tunnel. The building is nestled between the Elizabeth River and the historic Ghent residential district, just down the street from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Phone number

(757) 280-4736

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

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